By convicting Conrad Murray, MD., I’m convinced the jury reached a just verdict in the Michael Jackson manslaughter case. Malfeasance, mistakes, or plain ineptitude by callous medical professionals resulting in deaths — and that includes “care” by MDs, down the chain to those barely licensed — is extremely common and usually motivated by incompetence and/or greed. Unfortunately, these cases are rarely prosecuted (laws protect medical practitioners, they protect each other, and, in this case, the events occurred in an isolated home environment with no oversight). Michael Jackson’s family and the LA County DA should receive kudos for the vigilante pursuit of this corrupt, reckless physician. The great tragedy is that Michael Jackson is dead – Dr. Murray may have been in a conspiracy with his meal-ticket, mega-star patient – but he is alive; a culpable co-conspirator who was heavily remunerated.It’s frustrating but because of over-crowding in the state prison system, due to lack of funding, early releases for non-violent offenders like Murray are the norm. He will probably receive a very short prison stay, probation, possibly home monitoring, and hopefully the loss of his medical license.

The historic home to poets and hell-raisers has closed its doors: No More Artists Will Live Or Die Here. On my first trip to Manhattan, sans parents, out of curiosity I stayed there for a few days. It was not for me. I had already met Andy Warhol in L.A. and was a new person on the scene. Presumably curious, Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe came to meet me at the Chelsea. I must have left quite an impression: I never saw them again!

Congress on vacation ’til after Labor Day. They skipped out after the uber-contentious debt ceiling vote, before finishing a deal for the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration). Because of this nearly 80,000 workers are now not being paid, and the government will lose nearly a billion in fees – AS EVERYONE COMPLAINS ABOUT THE WEAK JOBS RATE AND LACK OF REVENUES. If Congress was a public corporation, shareholders would be screaming and picketing! Obama gave a speech today, suggesting they return to DC to finish this matter. If you ask me he should have demanded, not suggested! Stay tuned.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZgBv_TAdAU]

Shot in head in a January massacre (19 wounded, 6 fatally) Rep. Gaby Giffords (D-Arizona) appeared publicly for the first time since the catastrophic event, to cast her vote to raise the debt ceiling. Enduring multiple surgeries and tortuous months of therapy, it was uncertain if she would ever walk or talk, yet alone play a role in politics.This valiant survivor received bipartisan cheers as she appeared among her brethren – easing for that brief moment the dangerous contentiousness that now haunts Congress.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDsf8JOUsMs]

His primetime speech regarding the deficit and how it must be fixed was well thought out and made sense. It’s extraordinarily alarming that Congress has now reached unprecedented levels of partisan dysfunction. So much so that the country, and the world economy, could be in peril. The insane, unyielding posturing by the ultra-radical new representatives (60 Tea Party Republicans) is beyond comprehension. Unwilling to compromise, they seem willing to break the back of the average person to support tax loopholes for oil companies and those who fly in private jets. Listen to this President: Contact your Congressperson, NOW! There is no time to wait…A deal must be struck: The ceiling must be lifted, and cuts, but theproper ones, need to be enacted.

Firstly, we must recall how the debt grew…the legacy of George W. Bush, it was run up by his tax cuts, saving the financial system in 2008 after the unprecedented catastrophe created by deregulation and an opportunistic financial community (a necessary expense that Obama continued), lack of revenues in the ongoing years of fragile economy recovery – and unending wars. The wars must end…in foreign lands – & in the Beltway. That would save trillions. The President made it clear he is willing to tweak social entitlements, so the Tea Party must step up.